Which of the following statement is correct for paper chromatography?JEE Main 2023 (15 Apr Shift 1)AWater present in the pores of the paper forms the stationary phase.BPaper sheet forms the stationary phase.CWater present in the mobile phase gets absorbed by the paper which then forms the stationary phase.DPaper and water present in its pores together form the stationary phase.

The correct statement for paper chromatography is D. Paper and water present in its pores together form the stationary phase.

Here's why:

In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is a piece of high quality filter paper. The mobile phase is a developing solution that travels up the stationary phase, carrying the samples with it. Components of the sample will separate predominantly based on the amount of time they spend in the mobile phase versus the stationary phase.

The stationary phase is not just the paper itself (option B), but the water trapped in the pores of the paper. The water is held in by capillary action and forms the actual stationary phase that the solutes interact with, not the paper itself. Therefore, option A is also incorrect.

Option C is incorrect because the water that forms the stationary phase is not from the mobile phase. The water is already present in the paper before the mobile phase is introduced.

So, the correct answer is D. The stationary phase in paper chromatography is the water held in the pores of the paper, and the paper itself.